This week, another Pirate Party municipal councillor, Mathis Godefroid from Hesperange, announced his resignation, citing the fallout from the MALT translation app scandal and a resulting loss of public trust in the party.
In a month, the Pirates will convene a congress to adopt new statutes and reorganise leadership, but internal conflicts remain unresolved.
The Luxembourg Court of Auditors, Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office are all investigating the handling of the MALT project.
Godefroid seems to believe that the project’s mismanagement rests largely with MP Sven Clement, who has admitted minor mistakes, who in Godefroid’s view, has not fully taken responsibility.
“I always had a bit of hope that in-depth insight would come from them,” Godefroid said, reflecting on the party leadership’s handling of the scandal. "But that final point of clarity was missing for me."
Complicating matters, Clement is not just another member—he is often seen as the face of the Pirate Party. The upcoming congress on 14 December will see the Pirates vote on new statutes which the party leadership has promoted as a panacea for restoring stability. Although Godefroid contributed to drafting the statutes, he remains sceptical.
“I think every non-profit organisation has statutes, but you have to adhere to them. You can write a beautiful text, but then you must follow it,” he said. "Statutes are meant to create a framework, but should be broad enough to allow interpretation. Yet the Pirates haven’t always adhered to the statutes in explicit terms.”
Even Marc Goergen, the party’s second MP and current coordinator, is doubtful that new statutes alone will heal internal divisions. “Until everyone recognises that the MALT file needs a full reckoning, an explanation, and accountability, it will be hard to restore peace in the party,” Goergen said. “Whether Sven will ever be ready to take that step and acknowledge his mistakes—that’s still uncertain.”
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Goergen initially planned to step down as coordinator, but with Godefroid’s resignation, he may now reconsider.
“Mathis was supposed to take over my duties after the congress. I think he would have done a great job, but that’s no longer an option. Other members have suggested I stay on, because if I don’t, it would leave a big gap which wouldn’t be good for the party. I’m considering it, though it’s not the nicest role right now.”
The Pirate Party intends to broaden its leadership structure and spread responsibilities more evenly.
The party's leadership will finalise the new statutes on 25 November with an online vote scheduled for 1 December and elections for the new leadership on 7 December. However, the final decisions will be made in congress on 14 December.
